Clutch control mechanism



May24, 1938. PmcE Er'AL 2,118,226

CLUTCH CpNTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 16, 193

INYENTIOR 194E010 M PR/CE QRL 1?. PIP/c5 ATTORNEY Patented May 24. 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLUTCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original application October 16, 1931, Serial No.

Divided and this application April 19, 1937, Serial No. 137,624

4 Claims. (0]. 192-'.01)

This invention relates in general to control mechanisms and in particular to a vacuum operated clutch controlling mechanism for an automotive vehicle.

One object of the invention is to provide a vacuum operated fluid motor and cooperating valve structure fcr effecting both a disengagement and a regulated engagement of the clutch, the control valve for said motor being automatically opened by vacuum with the closing of the engine throttle and automatically closed by other means during the opening of the throttle.

-M0re specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved form of power operated valve mechanismactuated by the variations of fluid pressure which effect the movements of the piston of a fluid motor. In the applicationof the invention illustrated in the drawing, the particular object is to automatically control the connection and disconnection of the drive clutch of an automobile, independent of the conventional clutch pedal manipulation, whereby when the throttle valve is opened the clutch is allowed to gradually and uniformly engage, thereby starting the vehicle without shock, and upon the closing of the throttle valve, as by lifting the operators foot from the accelerator pedal, the mechanism will automatically disconnect the clutch. By this means the vehicle is controlled 3 solely through the throttle, preferably by means of the accelerator pedal.

The principal object of the invention, however, is to provide a pressure differential'operated motor for operating the clutch of an automotive vehicle,'the clutch engaging operation of the motor being in part controlled by the conventional cooling fan usually positioned immediately in front of the internal-combustion en-' gine of the vehicle.

Other objects of the invention and desirable details of construction and combinations of parts will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, which description is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic v'iew disclosing the essential elements of the invention;

Figure 2 is -a longitudinal sectional view through the automatically operable control valve for the fluid motor of the invention, the valve parts being shown in their open position;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the valve controlling the .clutch engaging operation of the power means; and

' motor of the power means in detail.

ing fluid motor comprising a double-ended c'yl-.

inder l0, disclosed in detail in Figure 4, having therein a reciprocatorypiston l2 operatively connected with a conventional clutch pedal l4 by a rigid rod l6 and flexible cable I1. The rod is f preferably provided with a tapered end portion l8, the entire rod being reciprocable within a bored hub portion 20 projecting from the end of the cylinder Hi. This construction is not claimed herein, being more fully described in our United States Letters Patent No. 1,996,256, dated April 2, 1935.

The cylinder I0 is providedat one end with a valve cylinder 22 rigidly secured thereto as by casting, and within which cylinder there is provided the movable valve parts for" controlling the operation of the fluid motor. The end of the cylinder is provided with a projection 24 pivotally secured to a fixed portion of the chassis. Mounted-to reciprocate within the valve cylinder 22 there is provided a spool-shaped plunger or piston member 26, the-connecting rod 28 of which passes through one end of the cylinder, a return spring 30 being interposed between the outer face of the cylinder and a stop 32 on the piston rod to urge the piston to the right or closedposition. The cylinder 22 is connected to one end of the intake manifold 34 of an internalcombustlon engine 36 by a flexible conduit 38 and is also connected by conduit 39 with the manifold at a point just above'the carburetor 48. Communication between the motor and valve is provided by an opening or port 40. Atmospheric ports 42 adjacent the right end of the valve cylinder serve to deenergize, the motor to permit the clutch engagement.

Describing the operation of themechanism closing of the throttle by the release of the accelerator pedal effects the creation of evacuated condition 01' the manifold is employed a vacuum. in the manifold by the pumping action of the I engine. pistons. As is well known in the art, this in the valve compartment 66 at the left of the valve member 26, this action being accelerated by virtue of the connection of conduit 39 with the manifold 34 at-a point just above the carburetor, an area of maximum vacuum. The connection of conduit 38 at the end of the manifold and the mounting of the valve on the motor accentuate this eifect by virtue of the rate of air flow between the several parts spool valve member 25 is thus automatically urged to the left under the pressure of the atmosphere, compressing spring 30 and registering the port 40 with the conduit-38, which position of the valve parts is disclosed in Figure 2. The valve is thus opened to effect an evacuation of the motor and a disengagement of the clutch, the motor piston i2 assuming the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. A one-way check valve 61 of conventional structure insures the movement of the piston during the clutch disengaging operation, the piston impelling air entering the actuator via said valve prior to the opening of the bore in hub 20.

Upon opening the throttle, for example, after the shifting of gears, the gaseous pressure within the manifold and valve compartment 86 is increased, tending to approach normal atmospheric pressure whereupon the valve spring 30 moves the valve member. 28 to the right to vent the actuator via atmospheric ports 42 and port 40. The clutch spring then functions to reengage the clutch, the movement of the driving clutch plate being controlled, however, by the variable throttle control of the eiilux of air from the compression or right side of the actuator piston l2.

This control is eilected by virtue of the entry of the tapered end IQ of rod l6 within the hub 20, by the adjustment of a needle valve 52 placed in the end wall of the cylinder Ill and by a tan operated bleed valve described in detail hereinafter. There is thus provided a definite mode of clutch engagement, depending upon the adjustment of the valve 52 and the mode of operation of the fan operated bleed valve.

The valve member 26- may be provided with friction rings 68 to obviate an undue degree of movement with slight changes in manifold'vacuum caused, for example, by the temporarycutting out of one or more engine cylinders.

Referring to both the engagement and disengagement of the clutch, the relative timing of the throttle and clutch operations may be varied by changing any one of the many variables, such as the idle setting of the throttle, the relative sizes of the valves and actuator, strength of springs, etc. I

In Figures 1 and 3 there are disclosed means for controlling the engagement of the clutch wherein a conventional cooling ,fan 69 of the engine serves to propel or blow air upon a shield or bailie ID, the latter being pivotally mounted of the mechanism. The

of opening of the needle valve and the proportionate rate of clutch engagement is, therefore,

made a function of the R. P. M; of the fan which is geared to the engine. The rate of clutch engaging movement of the driving clutch plate is thus a function of the speed of the engine, which speed is, in large measure, controlled by the accelerator. I

The invention heretofore described is disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 569,226,

filed October 10, 1931, this application constituting a division thereof. While one illustrative embodiment has been described, it is not our intention. to limit the scope of the invention to that particular embodiment, orotherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

1. In a clutch control mechanism for an automotive vehicle provided with an internal-combustion engine, a cooling fan and a clutch, a fluid motor operatively connected with the clutch, means cooperating withthe engine for efiecting a disengagement of the clutch, said means including the aforementioned fluid motor, and other means cooperating with the motor and fan for controlling the engagement of the clutch.

2. In a clutch control mechanism for an automotive vehicle provided with an internal-combustion engine, a cooling fan and a clutch, a fluid motor operatively connected with the clutch, means cooperating with the engine for eiiecting a disengagement of the clutch, said means including the aforementioned fluid motor, and other means cooperating with the motor and fan 'for controlling the engagement of the clutch,

said latter means including a baiile member and further including a valve member operated by said baiiie member. v

3. In a clutch control mechanism for an automotive vehieie provided with an internal-combustion engine, a cooling fan and a clutch, a fluid motor operatively connected with the clutch, means cooperating with the engine for effecting a disengagement of the clutch, said means including the aforementioned fluid motor, and other means cooperating with the motor and fan for controlling the engagement of the clutch, said latter means comprising fluid transmitting means for venting said motor to the atmosphere and further comprising a fan controlled valve means incorporated within said fluid transmitting means.

4. In a clutch control mechanism for an'automotive vehicle provided with a clutch, an internal-combustion engine and a conventional cooling fan for said engine, power means foroperating the clutch, and valve means operated by said fan for controlling the clutch engaging operation of said power means.

, HAROLD W. PRICE.

EARL R PRICE. 

